News 06:00

NEWSFLASH NEWS AGENCY 14 November 6 am

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In this bulletin:

# Chief Justice Zondo says remission is not a reason to stop Jacob Zuma’s trial
# The DA demands the urgent resuscitation of the police reservist programme
# And, the appointment of David Cameron as Foreign Secretary is criticised

# Chief Justice Raymond Zondo says the National Prosecuting Authority should pursue charges against former president Jacob Zuma if it deems he has a case to answer. This follows the decision in August to remit the remainder of Zuma’s 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Zondo also emphasised that the arms deal trial against Zuma, involving allegations of accepting bribes, should not be halted. He points to the importance of the courts deciding Zuma’s fate.

# The DA demands the immediate revitalisation of the police’s reservist programme. The party says only three-thousand-502 reservists are left, marking a staggering 90-percent decline since the 2011/12 financial year. The DA’s Andrew Whitfield attributes the decline to deliberate neglect by Police minister Bheki Cele. According to Whitfield, the collapse of the reservist programme under Cele raises concerns about tackling rising crime. He urges police to initiate a rapid recruitment drive, particularly targeting retired members:

Play sound: ENG WhitfieldOnReservist

# The University of the Western Cape student who stabbed a 26-year-old woman at a Cape Peninsula University of Technology student residence has been suspended from the institution. The 30-year-old man, who is facing a charge of attempted murder, made a brief appearance at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court yesterday. UWC’s spokesperson, Gasant Abarder, says the university condemns any act of gender-based violence:

Play sound: ENG AbarderOnGBV

# AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit will represent four more victims against Tshwane Metro Police officials accused of robbery, kidnapping, and assault, dating back to 2017. Johnson Lebombo and Aubrey Phalane appeared in court yesterday, alongside Makgoba Ramokshakga in a separate case. The trio faces internal disciplinary matters. Tshwane’s mayoral committee member for Community Safety Grandi Theunissen joined the unit in its fight against corrupt practises. The unit’s spokesperson, Barry Bateman, says the fight against such abuse of power continues and he encourages victims to step forward for justice. The case resumes in March 2024.

# British prime minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to appoint David Cameron as Foreign Secretary in a cabinet reshuffle has been criticised. The former premier minister replaces James Cleverly, who becomes the new Home Secretary following the sacking of Suella Braverman. The Labour Party says Cameron’s appointment puts to bed Sunak’s laughable claim to offer a change from 13 years of Tory failure. Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Savile Roberts claims the Conservatives had no longer even a shadow of a pretence of democratic accountability.

# Cricket: Former Proteas quick bowler Morné Morkel is leaving his position as fast-bowling coach of Pakistan – a month before his contract expires. He was appointed in June and helped the country to finish the World Cup in fifth place in the standings. The Pakistani Cricket Board announced that Morkel has resigned after the team exited the tournament, without any giving any reason. The governing body says a replacement will be announced in due course. Morkel has become an Australian citizen since ending his playing career in 2018.

# And finally,  the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-71-cents and the euro at 20-rand-1-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 36-thousand-389-dollars-3-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-946-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-76-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….